Thames river stairs were everywhere along the river when it was a main source of transport in London. According to the Thames Discovery website, by 1725, some 15,000 river taxis or "wherries" provided river service to Londoners. And there were 88 recorded regulated landing places where passengers could come aboard in high or low tide.

These historic river stairs in various stages of erosion suggest surreal journeys to unknown destinations. Many have vanished altogether. Here are some photos of old and more recent Thames stairs.